Wrath's Marans

My incubator is an older model GQF 1202 Sportsman. My dad and I modified it to be digital and then we dialed it in for a while, now it is pretty automatic and very reliable on temps. I got it ( and the hatcher unit) from my great uncle before he died. He was happy to know that the units would continue to be used to hatch birds into perpetuity. I managed to pick up those cabinets 12 years ago. Only had to replace the fan once. The digital modulators we installed have had one replacement since modification. Everything else has worked well, and regular cleaning and maintenance keeps it that way, so I am very happy with my old units. GQF sells a newer version of the 1202 Sportsman even today.
 
My incubator is an older model GQF 1202 Sportsman. My dad and I modified it to be digital and then we dialed it in for a while, now it is pretty automatic and very reliable on temps. I got it ( and the hatcher unit) from my great uncle before he died. He was happy to know that the units would continue to be used to hatch birds into perpetuity. I managed to pick up those cabinets 12 years ago. Only had to replace the fan once. The digital modulators we installed have had one replacement since modification. Everything else has worked well, and regular cleaning and maintenance keeps it that way, so I am very happy with my old units. GQF sells a newer version of the 1202 Sportsman even today.
Hi... How's your hatches going? Would love to see pics if you have any to share.
I see this GQF cabinet pop up quite often in reads. They seem to be a popular brand, so curiosity made me google and I can't imagine 270 eggs. Holy moly...But the hatching tray is limited to 72. What is the capacity of your separate hatcher?
The wife put that bug in my ear yesterday that I really need that 'Brooder room' I've been spouting off about for over a year now, so I'm going make that a priority this year and may have a few questions for you about the technical airflow and venting stuff.
 
Yesterday was a busy day and forgot I grabbed some crappy pics of the little's move day to King's coop... Weather isn't nice today but I'll let them run around the coop for a bit today under close watch if they want to come out of their new space. When I carried out the clear plastic tote they were in it was "cheep,cheep,cheep". King and the girls thought I had a tote full of treats of course.
So I set the tote down quick and both parties went dead silent... You could feel the 'what is that?' coming from everyone. 🤣
I needed to pull the 2 front supports but the poop boards are resting on the brooder and I'll add a shim today to cure the sag and I'll add a light for better pics, I ran a 14/2 wire over to a new outlet on the left side for the brooder plate which is going to work great for next winter to have an extra heated waterer spot off the exterior wall.

Horrible pics....
IMG_20250319_134623.jpg
IMG_20250319_134738.jpg
IMG_20250319_134806.jpg
IMG_20250319_134845.jpg
IMG_20250319_134939.jpg


Day 3 reading still good with no water, looking forward to trying that diy candler.
Screenshot_20250319-145936.png
 
Got confirmation on the maticoopx20 delivery for April 7th.
In the meantime tho, this one showed up today from @2ndTink. A huge shout out and thanks for the super quick shipping and awesome transaction.
She's already wanting me to fill it....🤣
View attachment 4077352
You're gonna NEED a hatch house if you hatch 56 chicks! What an awesome surprise!
 
@wrathsfarm I've updated the Wing It Ranch thread with a pic of one of my blue marans. She's looking very beautiful with her new feathers!
Awesome... I'll go check her out. My notifications went hay wire lately so I've missed some threads I normally frequent.

Also.. anyone is more than welcome to post pics here at anytime if they want. All shenanigans is welcome. 🤗
 
Hi... How's your hatches going? Would love to see pics if you have any to share.
I see this GQF cabinet pop up quite often in reads. They seem to be a popular brand, so curiosity made me google and I can't imagine 270 eggs. Holy moly...But the hatching tray is limited to 72. What is the capacity of your separate hatcher?
The wife put that bug in my ear yesterday that I really need that 'Brooder room' I've been spouting off about for over a year now, so I'm going make that a priority this year and may have a few questions for you about the technical airflow and venting stuff.
So the cabinet has 3 trays, perfect for having one tray per week. I slide in the newest eggs into the bottom slot, and move them up as new weeks are added. So, if I add the first hatch batch on a Tuesday, then I will continue adding batches on Tuesday, rotating the further along batches towards the top. I don't fill to capacity all at once! My hatcher is actually an older model 1500 with an acrylic door, I just use the bottom of it for hatching because it has an elevated little hatching area at the bottom designed for hatching, but I don't utilize the trays much in the 1500 for hatching unless I need to separate something out. After final candling I usually won't have more than 60 going into lockdown, so the 1500 unit handles it very well. Since you live in a more moist climate than me, I would just open the back vents all the way for decent air flow, and if you worry about humidity, add more water pans. I will have to get some pictures posted if you are wanting some.
 
So the cabinet has 3 trays, perfect for having one tray per week. I slide in the newest eggs into the bottom slot, and move them up as new weeks are added. So, if I add the first hatch batch on a Tuesday, then I will continue adding batches on Tuesday, rotating the further along batches towards the top. I don't fill to capacity all at once! My hatcher is actually an older model 1500 with an acrylic door, I just use the bottom of it for hatching because it has an elevated little hatching area at the bottom designed for hatching, but I don't utilize the trays much in the 1500 for hatching unless I need to separate something out. After final candling I usually won't have more than 60 going into lockdown, so the 1500 unit handles it very well. Since you live in a more moist climate than me, I would just open the back vents all the way for decent air flow, and if you worry about humidity, add more water pans.

I will have to get some pictures posted if you are wanting some.
Absolutely, please share when you have time. Very intriguing learning new things.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom